Further Reading Materials - Session 5 (updated June 2024)

Further Reading Materials

GOING FURTHER Classics, Medicine, Oncology / Biochemistry

Has watching the taster lectures left you wanting to learn more about Classics, Medicine and Biochemistry?

This Further Reading bochure contains resources which you can watch, listen to or read to find out more about these subjects, and the degrees and careers that they can lead to. It also offers links to current competitions and initiatives, and topical resources accompanied by extension questions to challenge and develop your academic critical thinking skills. Some of these opportunities might be useful to include on your CV and when writing applications to show your supercurricular interest!

TASTER LECTURES

Palmyra: An Ancient City in the Desert

Avery Warkentin introduces the ancient city of Palmyra, and highlights some of the art and architecture of the city which made it so distinct in the ancient world. Palmyra was located East of Damascus, an established caravan oasis in the desert. As a city which linked the trade route between Persia, India and China with the Roman Empire, Palmyra acted as a crossroads in the ancient world. Prior to coming under Roman control, Palmyra had a distinct history and culture, and after gaining independence in the 3rd century AD it established the short-lived Palmyrene Empire. Avery Warkentin also discusses the impact of modern conflict on the preservation of ancient sites such as Palmyra, and challenges us to consider how we can better protect these sites.

Follow these links to find out about degrees and careers related to this lecture

Archaeology and Anthropology

Classics & Joint Schools

Classical Archaeology & Ancient History

Avery Warkentin, MPhil candidate in Classical Archeology, University of Oxford

Reconstructive surgery after Trauma: Improving patient outcomes and building the evidence base

In his talk, Justin Wormald explores how reconstructive surgery can help patients after trauma. Outlining the pioneering work of McIndoe and Gillies in the early 20th century, he then highlights his own expertise in hand injury surgery. As one of the most common injuries in the UK, hand trauma often highlights the taken-forgranted nature of healthy hand functioning. However, despite the frequency of this injury, there are two challenges facing this field. Firstly, there is a tendency for operated hand wounds to become infected after surgery, with that is known as a surgical site infection. Secondly, there is a lack of research assessing the means of preventing such infections. Therefore, Justin Wormald contextualises his own research, aiming to understand why patients get infected and how this can be prevented. In doing so he advocates the need to build an evidence base for reconstructive surgery, improving outcomes for patients by having less research, but better research.

Follow these links to find out about degrees and careers related to this lecture

Link to lecture

Justin Wormald, NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow and DPhil candidate in Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford

Cancer research: accidental discoveries, yeasty cures, and mathematical biology

In her talk, Hira Javaid explores the effect of tumour heterogeneity on cancer development. Each cell in the human body contains 6 billion base pairs, with these DNA sequences combining to produce different proteins. Sometimes, sequence damage can cause mutations, which affect protein production and form cancerous tumours. Discussing this process, Hira Javaid highlights how early diagnosis can aid cancer treatment, facilitating intervention before cancer cells become too heterogeneous. She then notes how factors such as environment, lifestyle and diet can ‘tag’ onto DNA through the process of methylation, thus influencing subsequent protein production. This offers an exciting path for future research, allowing scientists to detect these tags within cancerous blood samples and aid diagnosis.

Follow these links to find out about degrees and careers related to this lecture

Link to lecture >

Hira Javaid, DPhil Oncology candidate, University of Oxford

Related Opportunities

Are you looking for exciting subject-specific opportunities which could develop your skills and help your university application? Then take a look at these competitions and initiatives…

Competitions

Classics: The Classical Association 2024 Gladstone Memorial Essay Prizes

Through the generosity of the Gladstone Memorial Trust Omnibus is again in 2024 able to offer prizes for excellent essays on classical themes. The competition is open to anyone under 19 and still in full-time education who has not yet complete A levels or IB. Entries should contain a statement from a teacher confirming that this is the case. The first prize stands at £200, the second at £100.

Essays must not exceed 2000 words.

Submission Deadline: 7th July 2024

For more details including how to sign up, click this link.

History

– The Julia Wood Essay Competition 2024, St Hugh’s College, Oxford

Hosted annually since 1971, this essay competition celebrates the work and life of former St Hugh’s historian Julia Wood. As part of the competition, sixth form and college students are invited to submit an essay on a topic of their choice. The winning 2023 titles included:

“Redeeming the State: Political Crisis and the Emergence of German Ordoliberalism, 1919-1949”

“To what extent did Medieval Spain, from the Umayyad Caliphate to the Explusion of the Jews in 1492, Provide a Golden Age for Jews?”

Whilst students can write about any historical event, essays must be between 2000-4000 words long. Essays must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document via the St Hughes website, with the winning entry receiving £500 in prize money.

Submission deadline: 5pm on Friday 26th July 2024.

For more details including how to sign up, click this link.

Biochemistry / Medicine - Medic Mentor National Essay & Art Competitions

Take part in the highly esteemed national medical essay and art competitions, held four times a year. This is your chance to showcase your unique talents, whether through captivating essays or awe-inspiring artworks. As a winner, your outstanding work will be published in the national Mentor Magazine.

Securing a prize in these competitions, you showcase a range of desirable qualities that are highly sought after in the medical field. It demonstrates your ability to think critically and articulate complex ideas effectively, through a well-crafted essay or an impactful piece of artwork. Medical schools recognise the value of participating in extracurricular activities and these competitions exemplify your passion for medicine and your commitment to personal and professional growth.

Submission deadline: 1st August 2024

For more details including how to apply, click this link.

Archaeology: Work Experience

Super-curricular activities are things that are related to academic work, which are beyond the scope of your current studies. Super-curricular activities might include things which are directly related to your subject, such as work experience or watching a TED talk, or things which promote academic skills relevant to your studies, such as critical thinking.

In addition, when applying for archaeology related degrees, it is often beneficial to show some examples of work experience. The Council for British Archaeology provide an Event Calendar detailing excavations welcoming volunteer help. Likewise, you can join independent crowdfunded digs known as ‘Dig Ventures’, or help maintain historic buildings by becoming a Casework Input Volunteer.

To learn more about these opportunities visit this link.

Explore More

History – Chalke Valley History Festival, Wiltshire

Hosted since 2011, the Chalke Valley History Festival aims to promote historical understanding amongst all age groups, especially children and young adults. Throughout the festival visitors can enjoy historical talks and discussions, as well as numerous immersive living displays addressing both ancient and contemporary subjects. History enthusiasts can see household names such as Monty Don and Dan Snow, as well as great performers who showcase their historical passion via informative and entertaining displays. Since 2013 the event has also hosted its History Festival for Schools, where thousands of pupils visit the festival. Upon visiting students engage in interactive demonstrations, aimed to excite, enthral and entertain all in attendance.

Event Dates: 24th June –30th June 2024

For more details including how to apply, click this link.

Medicine: Research Quality

In his Ted Talk ‘Battling Bad Science’, Ben Goldacre discusses the impact of low quality research. He debunks various medical myths shared by tabloid newspapers, and explores techniques used by pharmaceutical companies to distort findings.

Watch the talk here and answer the questions below.

• How can publication bias affect the reporting of drug trials?

• What are the ethical considerations of drug trial information being withheld?

Medicine: Environment and your DNA

In her talk about Oncology, Hira Javaid explored the process of DNA methylation. During this process, factors such as environment, lifestyle and nutrition can have an effect on the sequencing of DNA within living cells.

Similarly, in his Ted Talk Moshe Szyf explores how living things reprogram their genome in response to environmental factors such as stress and lack of food.

Watch the talk here and answer the questions below.

• What effect did the stress of the 1998 Quebec Ice storm appear to have on the children of pregnant mothers during this time?

• Can the effects of DNA Methylation be reversed?

Oxplore

Oxplore is an innovative digital outreach portal from the University of Oxford. As the ‘Home of Big Questions’ it aims to engage those from 11 to 18 years with debates and ideas that go beyond what is covered in the classroom. Big questions tackle complex ideas across a wide range of subjects and draw on the latest research undertaken at Oxford. Click these links to start exploring some Big Questions...

Can war be a good thing?

Can money buy happiness?

Do we stay the same from birth?

Further Reading Materials

Classics, Medicine, Oncology / Biochemistry

Did you enjoy these Further Reading Resources? You might be interested in attending one of our Study Days or Subject Exploration days